Farrell sent a letter for the California Emerging Technology Fund — a nonprofit that is leading the charge for regulators to require more broadband access in the state — to deliver to FCC commissioners next week.

In the letter, Farrell — who has made bringing free WiFi to San Francisco a top priority in his time on the board — noted that federal law requires “a finding of public benefit to approve” the acquisition and wrote that currently, 25 percent of U.S. households still lack high-sped internet access. He called for the FCC to “hold Comcast accountable” to improve its low-income broadband plan program, which he said has only reached 14 percent of eligible households since its launch three years ago.

“Now is the time to hold Comcast accountable for delivering a real, measurable public benefit,” Farrell wrote. “In fact, the same requirements should be a condition of all pending corporate mergers or acquisitions. Our nation’s well-being and ability to compete globally are at risk unless we get all residents connected to high-speed internet access at home.”